Chat with Mike Sando

Welcome to SportsNation! On Thursday, we'll have ESPN.com NFL Insider Mike Sando stopping by to talk about the latest NFL happenings.

Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He previously covered Washington State University football and basketball for the Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Mike grew up in Northern California before attending Whitworth College, graduating in 1992 with a B.A. in political studies. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and their two sons.

Mike Sando

(1:02 PM)

Hello. Great to be here. I've turned on auto-update. Hopefully that works for you. You might need to refresh. Here we go.

Mike P (Greater KC Metro)

Over under on Qbs in the first round at 3... You taking the over or under... I have the over because i think teams will over pay for guys like Carr and Bridgewater because they see a divisional team or rival draft one and they panic.

Mike Sando

(1:04 PM)

Yeah, I lean toward the over because I could see teams taking QBs late in the round, even if they have to trade into that range. It's probably the most intriguing aspect of this draft. If this were 2011, we'd see some of these QBs going earlier, because it seems as though some of them compare to the 2011 class. If teams wait a while to take the QBs, it'll look like the league learned a lesson from that mostly disappointing 2011 class.

John (Columbus)

Will the niners trade up into the late first round for a second first round pick and if so who do you see them targeting?

Mike Sando

(1:05 PM)

I was thinking the 49ers would be likely to move up once, possibly for a cornerback. I was not thinking as much about moving up another time. The question in my mind would be, is there is receiver or pass-rusher that would make sense for them in that range. I do not know that there would be, but they certainly have the ammo.

Tristan A [via mobile]

Are the Cowboys a lock to draft Manziel should he fall to 16?

Mike Sando

(1:07 PM)

How would anyone know? They could debate the decision right up to the pick. They have other needs. Taking Manziel would carry some appeal and fit with Jerry Jones' reputation. I do not think Dallas would be a lock for Manziel, but like I said, no one knows.

Tristan A [via mobile]

Will teams try to move up into the late 1st to gain that extra 5th year option? Does that make the pick more valuable?

Mike Sando

(1:07 PM)

Yeah, I think it's a consideration for developmental QBs in particular.

Jacob (Salisbury)

Perfect Patriots draft plan: trade back into 2nd to pick a DT, trade up in 2nd to take a TE, then focus on coverage LB, QB, RB, and interior OL in no particular order. Thoughts?

Mike Sando

(1:10 PM)

I like the thinking but am not sure they would need to move around quite that much. The interesting question on the DT/DL front is whether the player they would take could be more than an early down player. There is greater value, obviously, in guys who do not have to come off the field as much on a situational basis. But when you're picking late in the first round, it becomes harder to find those types of players, who are rare to begin with at DT.

Otto (CA)

What would you rather have...Blaine Gabbert or a QB that you could draft in the 6th round?

Mike Sando

(1:11 PM)

I'd probably rather have Gabbert learning the playbook before the draft, especially if Jim Harbaugh liked Gabbert coming out and thinks he could work with him.

Tristan A [via mobile]

Who should the Rams pick if Clowney goes #1 and no one wants to move up?

Mike Sando

(1:14 PM)

Sammy Watkins would be the guy I probably could not resist, figuring they might still be able to get offensive line help. I say that based on the feeling among NFL people that Watkins is a special talent; I do not scout or rank the players myself. I do think they need to get an offensive lineman, but guys at that position (OL) tend to have higher floors than the WR types that might be available after the second overall pick.

Coach Lombardi (Canton)

Can we agree to roundly BOO any team that drafts a 1st round WR before filling holes on the OL or at QB?

Mike Sando

(1:15 PM)

Not at all. There have been some very good receivers drafted near the top of the first round, including Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green. I would much rather have one of those players than Blaine Gabbert or Robert Gallery. The point is, pick a great player if you can.

Mike P (Greater Kc Metro)

If Mettenberger or Carr or Boyd are available in the 3rd round and knowing that contract talks with Alex Smith are non-existent, would the Chiefs take a flier on one of them?

Mike Sando

(1:19 PM)

I do not know how the Chiefs have those QBs graded in relation to other players that might be available in the third round, but I would not be surprised if the Chiefs did draft a quarterback in that range. John Dorsey philosophically believes what Ron Wolf believed about drafting QBs as assets in the absence of great immediate need. Andy Reid was with Philly when the team drafted Kevin Kolb, Nick Foles, Mike Kafka and A.J. Feeley in the 2-5 round range.

Scott (Roseville)

Who is the one player you personally think could be a surprise and jump off the board MUCH earlier than expected?

Mike Sando

(1:22 PM)

My feeling after attending the Gruden Camps was that Derek Carr could be that player. I don't have a strong feeling about it now, though, because I think people have subsequently talked enough about him having first-round appeal that it would not be a shock. I think some teams have Beckham ranked ahead of Evans as the second WR in this draft, so that is one to watch. Aaron Donald seems to be very highly regarded, so I wonder if he could go earlier than anticipated. Big guys who can move have value.

Justin (San Jose)

Much has been said about the talent level of the WRs this year. However, is it also that more teams need WR talent over say OL or DL this year, or is it mainly the expected skill of this draft class?

Mike Sando

(1:23 PM)

I'd say it seems to be more about the WR talent in this draft, because teams were talking about it right away at the combine, and it didn't seem to be in the context of needs. I do wonder, though, whether the higher than usual number of underclassmen is really improving the quality, though.

Mike P (Greater KC Metro)

Thoughts on a 4 day draft, 2 weeks later and in another city other than NYC?

Mike Sando

(1:25 PM)

I'm really open-minded about it. Most of the vocal reaction seems to be really negative, and I think that is because people question the NFL's motives. It seems to me the draft is huge, people love the buildup to it, and while there is a tipping point somewhere, I don't know that going to four days and pushing it back would push the league past that tipping point. I'd be interested in seeing how it goes. It could be a fun thing having the draft go to different cities.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Do you think Ryan Mallet or Kirk Cousins get traded sometime during the draft?

Mike Sando

(1:27 PM)

Cousins is an interesting one to me because I know Jon Gruden really liked him. What does Jay Gruden think about him? Washington is obviously committed to Robert Griffin III, but when you have a QB possibly prone to injury, it's nice having a backup you like. The hard part about trading Mallett is that he has no contract beyond 2014. Why would a team give up much to get a one-year rental of a player who hasn't done anything to this point? Unless Bill O'Brien really likes him.

Wesley Modling (LaGrange, GA)

If you were one of the NFL prospects getting tossed around (like Clowney, Manziel, Bortles, etc.), who would you want to go to? Also, would you like to go high in the draft or go with a team like the Seahawks or Broncos that already has a good team that you probably have a better chance of winning with. It has taken Cam Newton a couple years to get the Panthers to the playoffs.

Mike Sando

(1:30 PM)

It could be fun to go somewhere such as Jacksonville where they are starting something from nothing, and where the coach, Gus Bradley, came up under Pete Carroll and could be player friendly. As a QB, though, I think Minnesota could have some appeal, with Adrian Peterson there and some good weapons on the outside. Tampa Bay would have appeal. Talent on defense, proven head coach, very agreeable veteran QB in place.

Tristan A [via mobile]

What's the highest spot you could see the 49ers moving up to?

Mike Sando

(1:32 PM)

Probably into the 15 range. I do not think they would want to have to throw in a future first to get up really high.

Keanu (Honolulu)

Hi Mike, what do you think the Dolphins should do if all the decent offensive linemen are taken before they pick at 19?

Mike Sando

(1:35 PM)

Do not panic. Regroup and take an impact player at another position, then come back and try to help the offensive line with value picks later. It's an interesting situation because the GM and coach could be on short leashes there. Would they be more willing to sacrifice future picks in a push to move up for OL help?

Cody (St. Louis)

If you're Les Snead, who do you take between Robinson and Watkins?

Mike Sando

(1:35 PM)

I'd probably be tempted by Watkins.

bateman (MI)

Why are my Lions so hot for Watkins? Why do some teams understand the need for a good Def while others don't?

Mike Sando

(1:36 PM)

The Lions have some very good defensive players they picked up in the draft. Let's see what they actually do in this draft. Also, remember, in the first round, if you can get high-impact players, you're better off doing that instead of just really focusing on the position of need.

Paul (Albany, OR)

I fully understand drafting the best player available in the first round - that is where the cream of the talent pool is. My question is when is the right point to draft to fill holes in your roster? Is it as early as the second? The third? Getting supreme talent is vital, but so is plugging holes. Thank you

Mike Sando

(1:38 PM)

I'd say you need to have needs in mind all the way through, but for sure, the final three rounds would be more need-based a lot of the time. And probably it starts trending that way a lot earlier than that. I think most picks -- early or late -- take need into account.

Aaron (Des Moines, IA)

Hey Mike! I'm like a kid in a candy store on draft day, man. I love this time of year! If only the season would start next week now. :) I see the 49ers looking at a speedster receiver to play in the slot. But, I also have a hard time picturing him being used much because the 49ers don't use many 3 WR sets and don't do many screen plays. I just see another LaMichael James situation. Am I wrong?

Mike Sando

(1:39 PM)

I love it too. Fun times. On the 49ers, I thought they were headed toward becoming more of a three-receiver team after Colin Kaepernick took over as the starter. Then, they got hurt at WR and A.J. Jenkins bombed out. While I do think the 49ers will want to keep the power element on offense, I could see them using three-receiver sets more frequently if they had the personnel to do it.

Geoff (Easton, PA)

It's clearly obvious this draft for John Idzik and the Jets are probably one of their most important ever... think they finally get this "right" and have a strong class for a hopefully positive future ahead?

Mike Sando

(1:41 PM)

They've got a ton of picks and are in position to do well in this draft, but I think they still need to get the QB right for the franchise to maximize the selections it makes. I am not convinced they will be able to maximize Eric Decker, for example. And if they take a WR early in this draft, will they be able to maximize him?

Scott (Westminster, CO)

Rumors that the Broncos are looking to trade up, who would you think they are targeting?

Mike Sando

(1:45 PM)

Interesting team. I think there's been some thought of Denver moving back, which the Broncos have done previously. They have some contract decisions to make at the WR position. They have Peyton Manning. Would they be looking for additional offensive firepower with an eye toward the future? That comes to mind as one possibility. But with the draft, predicting can be futile because there are so many potential combinations. Who will be available? What trade options will exist. All those things depend on who is selected from 1-30.

Joe (NYC)

PKing says that a team with a very good thirty something QB is looking to move up to take Bortles. Is that Denver or NE?

Mike Sando

(1:47 PM)

The Saints are in that category as well, but when I look at those teams, how many of them are loaded with a ton of additional early selections? Zero of them.

Jimmy (Detroit)

Are WRs over rated? I know this is a deep wr draft but hasn't the seahawks, ravens, and a host of other SB winning teams shown you don't need all pro wr talent to win in the NFL?

Mike Sando

(1:49 PM)

That is a fair point, but if the Patriots had an elite WR last season, they probably would have had home-field advantage, which I think would have been worth a whole lot.

Paul (Denver)

Here's a shocker of a prediction and scary for NFC north defenses. The Bears select Ebron because the top defenders are off the board.

Mike Sando

(1:50 PM)

That would be fun. They just put all that money into Jay Cutler. Seems like a longer shot, but with Phil Emery, I think they're a fun team to watch operate.

Derek (Evansville)

How would you rank the QBs in this draft?

Mike Sando

(1:52 PM)

I think all of them are dependent upon where they are going to go, whereas I think the best QB prospects, such as Andrew Luck, are less dependent on that. So, if we're talking about which of these QBs is going to have the most successful careers, who could know? But the ones that really intrigue me the most are Johnny Manziel and Derek Carr. Imagine putting Manziel in a different type of system, on a team with a good defense and running game. It would be interesting to see how he would fare in a different context. With Carr, the physical skills are obvious when he throws the ball, but his brother's legacy is unavoidable.

Geoff (Easton, PA)

Where do you think Penn State WR Allen Robinson goes? For a little while he was projected late round 1 but has fell off a bit... I think he could be the most underrated WR's in the draft and a steal for someone... thoughts?

Mike Sando

(1:56 PM)

Nolan Nawrocki had him as a second- or third-round pick coming out of the combine. His rankings are not perfect; nobody's rankings are. But every year, I buy his draft book and then like to look at where guys were perceived to be earlier in the process, before all the post-combine hype.

Carl (Iowa)

Will Mike Glennon be traded? If so, what are the most likely destinations?

Mike Sando

(1:57 PM)

I'd say there's a decent chance. Arizona comes to mind for the connections between their front offices, and Bruce Arians' known affinity for QBs who look the part. That is an educated guess, and something Ron Wolfley brought up when we were talking on his radio show in Phoenix the other day.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

What NFL Teams do you think need Quarterbacks very badly &#x26; Hope to Select a QB Tonight?

Mike Sando

(1:59 PM)

Houston, Tennessee, Cleveland, Minnesota, Jacksonville and possibly Oakland are the teams I've marked down as more QB-needy. Other teams could be looking for QB depth.

Mike Sando

(1:59 PM)

Thanks for dropping by the chat today. My pleasure as always. Only a few more hours til the draft. Enjoy!